Pahan opened the weekend by offering satsang and guiding us through a cleansing ceremony using sage, a sacred medicine used to purify heart, mind, body and spirit. She spoke of the connection she has with the Ashram and told the story of her vision of a Sundance of Women. The days that followed were full of stories, song, ceremony and nature offered by Pahan and Wanbdi Wakita of Bear Paw Tipi.

The weekend deeply touched all those took part.

Bridging traditions, the workshops were a fundraiser for the Sundance of Women, which will be led by Pahan in Manitoba 2017 – 2020. The first Sundance is August 2 – 6, simultaneously with the Ashram’s Temple Celebrations.

Here a comments from the participants:

Terry Taylor-Topp

The Love and Healing weekend with Pahan and Wanbdi put the ideal of unity into action for me. Here was the Ashram, hosting a workshop with Indigenous elders that affirmed the intention of our new Temple of Light. People came together – learning, listening, connecting. We painted on a canvas that will be sewn into a Thunderbird, a banner to be at the opening of Pahan’s Sundance in August. I added one word, connection, that expresses what I experienced.

The lessons of the weekend were powerful. Pahan said that how much we love is all about our own capacity to love and that everyone is loveable. From Wanbdi’s explanation of the Dakota phrase Mitakuye Owas, all my relations, I understood how connection extends to everything around me. And I sensed that something was being conveyed beyond words in the humility and grace with which they offered their tradition. For this opportunity, I say Pidamayapiye – thank you.

Chuck McNab

The Love & Healing weekend elder visit was very special. It was meaningful for me to hear and see them share some of the spiritual practices of my culture. I felt proud to see some of the same aspects of my culture that I’ve offered to the Ashram community over my years of living here. As an adult, I’ve been reconnecting to my culture and remembering things I learned growing up. Experiences like Pahan and Wandbi sharing their knowledge show me that the practices are still with me. It feels really good to be where I am and I’m proud to be able to share with others.

Amy Allcock

My key take away from Love & Healing: A Weekend of Reconciliation is that reconciliation begins within. The healing work required for reconciliation begins with ourselves, our families, our communities and our culture. This is true for those of us who belong to the colonizing culture, as well as those who belong to Indigenous cultures. I was touched by the openness and courage of Pahan and Wanbdi as they shared personal and ancestral stories of loss and trauma as a result of colonization. Pahan’s invitation for us to share our own stories was deeply moving, creating a safe space for me to express my deep sadness at the injustices suffered as result of colonization. I was able to acknowledge feelings of shame knowing that these injustices were committed not only by my culture, but during my lifetime. Facing this uncomfortable aspect of our shared history and expressing my feelings created an opening within me. I’m inspired to learn more about my own history in relation to colonization – both personally, but also ancestrally and culturally. What does it mean to be part of a colonizing culture? How have I or my ancestors benefited from colonization? How have I or my ancestors been oppressed or suffered as a result of colonization? This workshop has shown me that we are all connected, both through our suffering and in our process of healing.

Francesca Cogorno

The Devi of speech came to life for me this weekend. The words, prayers, and songs shared by Pahan and Wanbdi had a power – simply listening to them was an act of healing. They spoke from a deeply compassionate and loving place that allowed me to be in that space within myself. It was a real gift!

]]>390Wanbdi Wakita to receive Order of Manitobahttp://bearpawtipi.ca/wanbdi-wakita-to-receive-order-of-manitoba/
Fri, 13 May 2016 01:15:10 +0000http://bearpawtipi.ca/?p=378There are 1.27 million people living in Manitoba. In the past ten years 221 have been chosen to receive the Order of Manitoba. On May, 12, 2016, Lieutenant Governor, Janice Filmon, announced Wanbdi Wakita will be one of them.

“While the individual accomplishments of the women and men recommended this year for investiture are wide ranging, they share a common spirit of giving and commitment to community for which Manitobans are known,” said the lieutenant-governor. “Whether their impact is felt at the local, national or international levels, they are each a credit to our province and our country.”

Wanbdi Wakita is a Dakota spiritual leader who has devoted his life to teaching and healing and continues to share his culture with anyone who asks for help. He has worked tirelessly to support the healing of individuals, communities and the relationship between First Nations and non-First Nations people.

A residential school survivor and a veteran with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry peacekeeping mission in Europe, more recently he has spent more than 30 years working as an Aboriginal Spiritual Caregiver in federal, provincial and territorial prisons and currently works with the inmates at Milner Ridge Correctional Centre.

As Chief of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, he developed a culturally unique senior citizens’ home. He also established two medical boarding homes to house Indigenous clients from northern communities visiting Winnipeg for medical care. He continues to share his culture with anyone who asks for help and is a strong advocate for the preservation of the Dakota language.

In February, 2016, Pahan Pte San Win was presented with the 10th Annual Aboriginal Circle of Educators Award in the category of Honouring Our Elders, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

What makes her deserving of this honor? This is what some have said.

“… She has been working hard to promote aboriginal culture and spirituality. She taught us women we could do anything. If one of us didn’t know how … we could take baby steps, and when we were finished … everyone would celebrate with cheers and laughter.” Kung Jaadee

“Her gentle presence and thoughtful responses to student inquiries reflect her respect for varying student needs and abilities … Pahan absolutely deserves to be recognized for her excellence as an Elder and educator.”
Mary Hower, Villa Rosa

“… I have trusted and followed her advice on the importance of living in an honest way and treating people and the land with dignity, respect and pride.”
Lila Erasmus

http://bearpawtipi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ACE-award-Pahan-Feb-2016.mp3
]]>364Honouring Our Elders Award Recipienthttp://bearpawtipi.ca/honouring-our-elders-award-recipient/
Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:59:59 +0000http://bearpawtipi.ca/?p=185In February, 2015 Wanbdi Wakita was presented with the 9th Annual Aboriginal Circle of Educators Award in the category of Honouring Our Elders, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Congratulations Wanbdi!
]]>185Walking the Four Directions of Lovehttp://bearpawtipi.ca/walking-the-four-directions-of-love/
Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:19:27 +0000http://bearpawtipi.ca/?p=189During the deep cold of February 2015, Pahan Pte San Win and Wanbdi Wakita traveled north to Yellowknife, NWT. Pahan delivered a Keynote address titled, Walking the Four Directions of Love at the NWT Wellness Conference. Wanbdi Wakita gave a workshop, Living a Life Teachings. Afterwards conference organizers said, “Our keynote speaker, Pahan Pte San Win, and her husband Wanbdi Wakita. You gave us so much more than we expected! Thank you for sharing your love and soul with us!”
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